All Elder Scrolls Games in Order (Chronologically & by Release Date)

The Elder Scrolls series has captivated gamers for decades with its rich open-world adventures set in the fantastical land of Tamriel. From the earliest title to the recently announced ‘Oblivion Remastered’, tracking all Elder Scrolls games in order—both by release date and chronological story—offers a clear view of this iconic franchise’s evolution. Whether you’re a veteran adventurer or new to the series, understanding the timeline and release history enhances the journey through Nirn’s sprawling landscapes.

I’ve always been drawn to how Bethesda crafts these immersive RPGs, blending deep lore with freedom to explore. With ‘Oblivion Remastered’ just revealed, now’s a perfect time to dive into the full lineup of Elder Scrolls games, sorting them by when they hit shelves and where they fit in Tamriel’s sprawling history.

How Many Elder Scrolls Games Are There?

The Elder Scrolls franchise includes 15 distinct games, spanning mainline titles, spin-offs, and mobile entries, with ‘Oblivion Remastered’ as the latest addition. This count covers everything from the 1994 classic to the 2025 remaster, offering a mix of epic RPGs and smaller adventures.

Elder Scrolls Games in Order by Release Date

Bethesda kicked off the Elder Scrolls saga in 1994, and the series has grown steadily, with mainline games and spin-offs released over 30 years. Below is every title, listed by when it first launched, including the newly announced ‘Oblivion Remastered’.

• ‘The Elder Scrolls: Arena’ (1994)
• ‘The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall’ (1996)
• ‘An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire’ (1997)
• ‘The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard’ (1998)
• ‘The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind’ (2002)
• ‘The Elder Scrolls Travels: Stormhold’ (2003)
• ‘The Elder Scrolls Travels: Dawnstar’ (2004)
• ‘The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey’ (2004)
• ‘The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion’ (2006)
• ‘The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Mobile’ (2006)
• ‘The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’ (2011)
• ‘The Elder Scrolls Online’ (2014)
• ‘The Elder Scrolls: Legends’ (2017)
• ‘The Elder Scrolls: Blades’ (2019)
• ‘The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered’ (2025)

Elder Scrolls Games in Chronological Order

Sorting Elder Scrolls games by their in-game timeline is trickier, as they span different eras in Tamriel’s history. The series jumps across centuries, with ‘The Elder Scrolls Online’ set earliest and ‘Skyrim’ among the latest. Below, I’ve ordered them by their place in the lore, with details on each game and its timeline fit. Note that some spin-offs, like ‘Stormhold’, ‘Dawnstar’, and ‘Shadowkey’, lack clear timeline placement, so they’re placed based on their likely Third Era setting.

‘The Elder Scrolls Online’

This MMO throws you into the Second Era, where you play as the Vestige, a soulless hero battling the Daedric Prince Molag Bal. Released in 2014, it’s packed with quests across Tamriel, from Cyrodiil to Morrowind, with expansions adding new regions and stories. The game’s scale is massive, letting you team up with others or explore solo.

Set around 2E 582, it’s the earliest game in the timeline, happening roughly 1,000 years before most other titles. This places it long before the Septim Empire, during a chaotic period of warring alliances and Daedric schemes.

‘The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard’

Launched in 1998, ‘Redguard’ is a pirate-themed action game following Cyrus, a mercenary on the island of Stros M’Kai. Unlike most Elder Scrolls titles, it’s not an RPG but a linear adventure with sword fights and puzzles. The story dives into Hammerfell’s rebellion against the Empire.

Set in 2E 864, it occurs centuries after ‘The Elder Scrolls Online’ but still in the Second Era. It shows Tiber Septim’s rise, laying groundwork for the Third Era’s imperial dominance seen in later games.

‘The Elder Scrolls: Arena’

The first Elder Scrolls game, released in 1994, has you as a hero rescuing Emperor Uriel Septim VII from a pocket dimension. It’s a classic RPG with a vast world, introducing Tamriel’s races and magic. Despite its age, its open-ended exploration set the series’ tone.

Taking place in 3E 389, it kicks off the Third Era’s mainline stories. The events center on the Imperial City and Jagar Tharn’s betrayal, setting up Uriel Septim’s recurring role.

‘An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire’

This 1997 spin-off puts you as a Battlemage apprentice fighting Mehrunes Dagon’s forces in the Daedric realm of Battlespire. It’s less open-world, focusing on dungeon crawling with improved graphics for its time. The game feels like a side story but has intense combat.

Set around 3E 398, it overlaps with ‘Arena’ and leads into ‘Daggerfall’. Its focus on Daedric realms ties it to the broader lore of Oblivion’s influence on Tamriel.

‘The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall’

Released in 1996, ‘Daggerfall’ boasts a massive world, with a story about a ghostly king and a mysterious artifact in High Rock and Hammerfell. Its skill-based leveling and political intrigue made it a fan favorite, despite some technical jank.

Set in 3E 405, it follows ‘Battlespire’ and centers on the Warp in the West, a pivotal event reshaping the Iliac Bay. This places it early in the Third Era’s political shifts.

‘The Elder Scrolls Travels: Stormhold’

This 2003 mobile game has you as a prisoner in the Stormhold dungeon, battling monsters and uncovering secrets. It’s a stripped-down RPG with randomized dungeons, built for early phones. The story is light but keeps the series’ prisoner-hero vibe.

Likely set in the Third Era, around 3E 400-430, its exact date is unclear. It fits roughly around ‘Daggerfall’ or ‘Morrowind’, as a minor tale in Tamriel’s ongoing conflicts.

‘The Elder Scrolls Travels: Dawnstar’

Another 2004 mobile title, ‘Dawnstar’ casts you as a hero saving a northern town from a traitor and ice tribes. Like ‘Stormhold’, it’s simple, with turn-based combat and a small scope, but it captures the series’ adventurous spirit.

Also pegged to the Third Era, around 3E 400-430, its vague timeline slots it near ‘Morrowind’. It reflects the era’s scattered heroics before the Oblivion Crisis.

‘The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey’

Released in 2004 for the N-Gage, ‘Shadowkey’ follows a hero in Hammerfell battling a shadow mage. It’s more ambitious than other ‘Travels’ games, with multiplayer elements and a decent story, though limited by its platform.

Set in the Third Era, likely 3E 400-430, it aligns with ‘Stormhold’ and ‘Dawnstar’. Its Hammerfell focus ties it to ‘Redguard’s’ region but centuries later.

‘The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind’

Launched in 2002, ‘Morrowind’ is a landmark RPG set on Vvardenfell, where you’re the Nerevarine, destined to stop a godlike villain. Its alien landscapes, deep lore, and total freedom won it Game of the Year awards. Expansions like ‘Tribunal’ and ‘Bloodmoon’ add even more.

Set in 3E 427, it’s late in the Third Era, just before ‘Oblivion’. The Nerevarine’s rise and Dagoth Ur’s defeat shake Morrowind’s culture, setting up Cyrodiil’s turmoil.

‘The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion’ and ‘Oblivion Mobile’

Released in 2006, ‘Oblivion’ follows the Hero of Kvatch closing Oblivion Gates to stop a Daedric invasion in Cyrodiil. Its lush world and voiced NPCs were groundbreaking. The mobile version, also 2006, is a simplified RPG for phones. Expansions like ‘Shivering Isles’ deepen the story.

Set in 3E 433, it marks the Third Era’s end with the Oblivion Crisis. The Emperor’s death and Daedric invasion reshape Tamriel, leading to the Fourth Era.

‘The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered’

Just announced and released in 2025, ‘Oblivion Remastered’ revamps the 2006 classic with Unreal Engine 5 visuals, refined combat, and quality-of-life tweaks. Developed by Virtuos, it includes all DLCs like ‘Shivering Isles’ and costs $49.99 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Also set in 3E 433, it retells the same Oblivion Crisis story as the original. Its place in the timeline is identical, serving as a modernized take on the Third Era’s climactic end.

‘The Elder Scrolls: Legends’

This 2017 card game weaves stories across Tamriel’s history, focusing on events like the Dark Brotherhood’s fall. It’s a strategic spin-off, not an RPG, but its campaigns tie into the broader lore, offering a unique way to experience the world.

Spanning multiple eras, its main story likely sits in the Third or Fourth Era, around 3E 433 to 4E 200. The Dark Brotherhood plot connects to ‘Skyrim’s’ timeline, making it a bridge.

‘The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’

Released in 2011, ‘Skyrim’ casts you as the Dragonborn, fighting dragons and a civil war in a snowy province. Its accessibility and epic scope made it a cultural juggernaut, with expansions like ‘Dragonborn’ and constant re-releases keeping it alive.

Set in 4E 201, it’s the latest mainline game, 200 years after ‘Oblivion’. The Fourth Era’s turmoil, with the Empire weakened and dragons returning, defines its place.

‘The Elder Scrolls: Blades’

This 2019 mobile RPG has you as a Blade rebuilding a town while fighting enemies. It’s simpler than mainline games, with dungeon crawling and city-building. Despite mixed reception, it expands Tamriel’s lore with new quests.

Set vaguely in the Fourth Era, likely post-4E 201, its timeline is loose but follows ‘Skyrim’. The Blades’ return suggests a later Fourth Era recovery effort.